You initially thought You Yun might have conflicts with Xie Huide.

So you assumed he was taking advantage of Xie Huide's seclusion

To intimidate you, Xie Huide's direct disciple.

Though temporarily no match for him, you knew he couldn't kill you either.

You even contemplated giving him a taste of cross-level combat.

Yet You Yun came sneaking around only to leave inexplicably,

Thoroughly confusing you.

Frowning, you resolved to remain vigilant against You Yun in the future.

One month later,

Deng Rusong and Xie Huide officially began closed-door refinement of the Reviving Yang Pill.

Their estimated refinement period was one month.

Deng Rusong instructed You Yun that nothing—not even exploding crystals—should disturb them.

After Deng Rusong and Xie Huide entered seclusion,

You continued your cultivation.

Within days, you advanced the Treading Heaven Steps to Initial Achievement proficiency.

Now you could remain airborne for ten breaths.

But the movement speed mid-air remained problematic.

"If only Treading Heaven Steps could match an Ultimate Grandmaster's speed,"

You indulged in unrealistic fantasies.

That would grant you true flight—albeit briefly.

Still, it would fulfill your childhood dream of becoming an astronaut.

Frowning in thought,

Suddenly inspiration struck.

"I've got it! What if I have Lin Mo practice Treading Heaven Steps? Might yield different results!"

After all, Lin Mo was the genius who created the heaven-defying Nine Condensations Profound Skill.

Excited by the idea, you exclaimed: "Right! I should utilize this human skill-enhancer!"

Acting immediately,

You summoned Jiao Mingxu and He Youshan to care for Deng Wanshu for a month.

Deng Wanshu's condition wasn't secret—

Most Danxia Sect members knew.

Jiao Mingxu and He Youshan readily agreed, solemnly vowing proper care.

That same day, you rode a fast horse to Lin Mo's home.

Calculations showed roundtrip would take just over a month—

Coinciding with Xie Huide's estimated completion of the Reviving Yang Pill refinement.

Barring accidents, you'd return to find your martial aunt revived.

After half a month's travel, you arrived.

Lin Mo had grown considerably taller this past year.

Overjoyed at your return,

He eagerly pulled you: "Uncle Yu! You came back!"

"Uncle Yu I missed you so much! Haven't slacked in cultivation, have you?"

Lin Mo proudly declared: "Uncle Yu, no slacking! I've cultivated diligently!"

A quick sensing left you stunned—

Lin Mo had reached late-stage Skin Refining in one year!

You needed fifteen damned years for the same!

"Excellent. Late-stage Skin Refining in one year? Time for advanced training!"

You handed Lin Mo Treading Heaven Steps: "Here child, a movement martial skill!"

Lin Mo accepted it solemnly: "Thank you Uncle Yu! I'll master it!"

"Not just master—I want you to modify it for maximum aerial speed!"

"Modify skills? Uncle Yu...can I?" Lin Mo hesitated.

You glared: "At your age I was creating skills! Modification is nothing!"

Lin Mo's expression firmed: "Uncle Yu! I'll strive to match your footsteps!"

Smiling, you nodded: "Good lad. Catching me won't be easy—work hard."

"Mhmm!"

After successfully "motivating" Lin Mo,

You returned contentedly to Danxia Sect.

The return trip took another half month—

Total roundtrip: one month and four days, remarkably fast.

Yet no revived martial aunt greeted you,

Nor were Deng Rusong or Xie Huide present.

Turns out they remained refining the Reviving Yang Pill.

Resuming cultivation,

Your pill refinement advanced after another month—

Now consistently producing four fifth-grade pills,

Solidifying Initial Achievement proficiency.

But Deng Rusong and Xie Huide still hadn't emerged.

Growing suspicious,

You began periodically patrolling outside their sealed stone chamber,

Unable to interfere, only observe.

One day during courtyard training,

You Yun approached again,

Purportedly for casual chat.

This time he voluntarily mentioned Xie Huide—

How Xie Huide possessed the greatest pill talent of their generation,

Universally expected to become Danxia Sect's next leader.

Until Deng Wanshu's incident derailed everything.

Thereafter Xie Huide became obsessed,

Frantically researching revival pills and medicines,

Like a stubborn bull charging down dead ends,

Neglecting proper pill refinement,

His martial cultivation lagging further behind.

Then You Yun abruptly shifted focus to you—

Praising you as Xie Huide's outstanding disciple,

Surpassing even Xie Huide's martial achievements.

Baffled by this sudden flattery,

You bluntly asked: "Elder You, enough riddles—what do you want?"

You Yun laughed awkwardly: "Straight to the point! Very well."

Glancing around, he whispered: "Has the sect leader named you successor?"

Suddenly you understood—

This was about Danxia Sect's petty power struggles.

Disappointingly mundane.

Now realizing You Yun's previous "casual visit"

Was actually probing your political stance—

Especially after noticing your closeness to Deng Rusong.

Likely just fishing for confirmation.

Wanting no part in such distractions,

You resolved to decline any leadership position after Deng Rusong emerged,

Requesting instead some cushy sinecure.

To You Yun you feigned ignorance: "Elder, this is news to me."

Undeterred,

You Yun smiled: "No need for caution. My faction seeks no leadership, only to support the next sect leader's prosperity."

Your triple denial finally sent him away uncertain.

Watching his retreating figure, your eyes gleamed thoughtfully—

Seriously considering leaving Danxia Sect.

Your involvement had grown too deep,

Constantly distracted by trivial matters,

Drastically deviating from your original goal of peaceful cultivation.

You longed for former freedom—

Like a wild donkey galloping across plains.

Eyes flickering with resolve, you pondered deeply.